Scherzinger Out, Mariah Carey In On 'The X Factor'?

If Nicole Scherzinger has indeed judged her last "The X Factor" contestant, her replacement could only be considered a major trade-up.

Pop Crush reports that former Pussycat Dolls singer Scherzinger may be voluntarily stepping away after a single season hosting FOX's newest prime-time talent search, but new mother of two and history-making diva Mariah Carey may step forward and take her seat alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Antonio "L.A." Reid

Why would Scherzinger leave this gig? Well, take your pick...

For starters, she reportedly never became comfortable with watching contestants face rejection. That's entirely believable, because if the weepy ex-Pussycat Doll and "Dancing With The Stars" winner could have her way along with the ever-sunny Abdul, "The X Factor" would be doling out more recording contracts than Tommy Lee gives out mutated resistent strains of herpes.

Making it more believable, keep in mind that Scherzinger's tie-breaking vote sent fan-favorite Rachel Crow packing last season and she took the backlash. "I'm used to being on stage and performing and singing for people and people cheering for me," Scherzinger said. "I am an artist first, not a judge first! The elimination process for me has been very difficult."

There was also a rumor that Scherzinger might soon swap countries with U.K. "X Factor" judge and former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland. As that rumor now states, that's not happening because Scherzinger said in a December interview with Pop Crush that she wants to finally finish her solo album Killer Love. In addition, as usual follows the pretty-female-pop-star Pokemon evolution cycle, she also allegedly has sights set toward an acting career.

I think she then next evolves into a Charizard.

According to Pop Crush, when word got out the Scherzinger might say "thanks but not thanks" to a second season, Carey reportedly contacted executive producer Cowell and said she suddenly had some time on her hands. It's not like getting Carey into the mix hadn't crossed Cowell's mind a few times already.

The lungsome best-selling female recording artist in history was to be a guest judge during the show's home-auditions phase. Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene took her travel plans and flushed them. Later, she wanted a rumored $300,000 to appear and sing her redone "All I Want For Christmas Is You" alongside Justin Bieber, but was politely declined.